No Shock Collar Coalition: Welcome To The NSCC!

October 28, 2013

Welcome To The NSCC!

How We Came To Be
In spring of 2006, a group of dog trainers and behavior consultants became increasingly alarmed at the proliferation of shock collar use among companion dog owners, inexperienced trainers and 'behaviorists', as well as the way the use of these devices was being promoted by their manufacturers. From that concern, the No Shock Collar Coalition came about. The NSCC began merely as a silent protest against the inhumane use of pain-delivering devices used in the name of 'dog training', and I created a single web page where principalled people could come and mark their name in a public place to protest the inhumane use of shock on companion canines in the name of training.

These devices are appearing with ever-increasing frequency in commercially available and inexpensive training "tools" sold freely over the counter to people who are completely ignorant about their capacity for harm. They are available as "bark collars", "remote collars" and invisible containment systems for both indoor and outdoor use.

We know that these devices are designed to work by the application of an aversive (pain, discomfort, fear, startle) which ultimately has a detrimental impact on the dog's learning, and many of their proponents are attempting to sell this training to the unknowing public by characterizing the electric shock as a "stimulation", "stim", "nick" or "tap"; these are all euphemisms for an electric shock.

As a cohesive force, we'll be moving forward with plans to speak out more vocally against the use of these devices, and make our positions known to their manufacturers, distributors and retailers, and any individual or business who sells these units or advertises them. We'll also be amassing and presenting a library of information about shock collars and the harm done by these devices, as a reference to dog trainers, behavior consultants and dog owners.

If you'd like to add your name to the growing list of professional dog trainers, behavior consultants, pet parents and others who want to take a stand against the use of electric shock collars for training dogs and controlling their behavior, please CLICK HERE to sign up.

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What our supporters say:

"Lets all work towards cooperative training and teach our dogs to think rather than training through fear where you have an emotionally "flat" dog that will not offer behaviors"

"There are many problems using positive punishers that make it extremely difficult (impossible?) for the average person to use them correctly. They are not needed in training because there are other humane methods that are effective and the outcome is predictive. As a group we should focus on coopertaive training where you cultivate a creative dog by rewarding them when they do what we like rather than training based on fear where the dog is afraid to offer behaviors and their trained responses are very 'flat.'"

"As a novice owner and owner of a large breed at that, I use only positive training and since I was able to culture a well-mannered dog, I see no reason why anyone would have to use any other method other than positive training. Shocking is cruel, plain and simple. Outlaw shock collars of all kinds."

"It is encouraging to see the progress in training"

"I was once a member of APDT and maybe one day I will be again. I will never use or teach anyone to use choke, prong, or shock collar."

"I am so pleased to see this coalition form, and I am willing to help in any way. Thanks!"

"All dogs can be trained to be family pets using positive reinforcement, management and the withholding of rewards. Shock Collars are hazardous, expensive, and uneccessary."

"There are better and kinder methods to train dogs. We need to learn to quit being reactive-aggressive and start learning self-control, patience, and kindness. Kind methods work so much better and strengthen the bond between owner and pet, rather than destroying trust."

"I don't believe there is ever a valid reason to use shock collars in the training or management of dogs - or any other animal."

"What a fabulous idea this page is! You are to be commended!!!!"

"They might work but we all know that there are so many more pleasant ways of training our best friend. Is an electric shock any way to treat your best buddy? Would you do it to your best human friend? No, so why to a devoted canine companion?"

"This is a wonderful idea! I look forward to supporting you every step of they way!"

"I am so pleased to see this work started."

"There is NEVER a justification for causing a dog pain. Period"

"I am very pleased to see trainers standing up for dogs and declaring their opposition to electronic training devices designed to cause pain to dogs."

"I am glad to see a stand being taken. No force trainers have been railroaded lately on the APDT list and in advertisements by those who use the APDT but don't practice it's core values. Yea, for creating this mission."

"Shock Collars should be utterly banned, its a disgusting world we live in when one animal has to use such tactics on another animal species."

"Our school provides fun and force free dog clicker training. We work hard to minimize stress on both the dog and the human students!"

"Let's work together positively to bring about some huge changes in the field of dog training and advocacy!"

"It's about time we all stood together on this subject."

"I support the no e-collar training grass roots effort"

"Germany and the United Kingdom are right about this: shock collars ought to be banned. Yet, despite the ban in these countries, not only are people capable of training their pet dogs, but they are also able to train for competition, police and service dog work without ever using shock collars. These dogs are magnificent, I've seen them."

"There is no reason to use shock collars in pet dog training. Ever."

"The ends do not justify the means. Especially when we have are so many better options available."

"Would you use a shock collar on your little child to behave?? Then why would you use one on your pet?"

"Too many trainers are selling this collar as a quick fix. It is inhumane! They use it on puppies!"

"There are so many better and more effective ways to train and enjoy your dog than using force, pain or domination. It's hard to understand why some trainers feel a need to use these methods in light of all the great information on positive and dog friendly training that is available today. Those of us in dog sports know that the dog's enjoyment of the sport is essential. Why do the sport if the dog doesn't like it?"

"It has become far too easy for lazy or frustrated dog owners to resort to this method. They tend to "try out" shock collars to fix problems, and when this backfires, they MAY consult a trainer. It's the do-it-yourself aspect that appeals to a lot of people, but most people don't know enough about dog behaviour and training to use it correctly. There are more humane ways to train dogs, anyway. If you don't have the skill to train a dog with reward-based methods, no way should you be able to use a shock collar."

"We use all positive methods in training your dogs, there should be no reason to shock your dog, no matter how it is put, a stimulus is still a shock no matter how they may lower the blow of the truth. Electric collars do not put the puzzle pieces together, it prevents dogs from being successful and causes confusion!"

"I trained two dogs with shock collars and never realized the damage I was doing to our relationship. Thankfully, for them and for me, I found a kinder way to train. Anything that can be trained with a shock collar can be trained without one."

"Shock collars are illegal in 5 countries. I truely can not understand why they are not illegal in the United States. I have worked with shepherds who had been previously trained with shock collars and fear based methods. I have dealt with the owners guilt of allowing someone to do this to their dog.I have helped them get past it and introduced them to positive reward based methods. I truly hope these collars are made illegal."

"Let's get the word out that there are safe, humane ways to teach our pets. Shock collars are not among them."

"People need to be made aware that these euphemisms for pain and cruelty are just that and that such a method of teaching and torture must be banned. Teachers would go to jail for treating children with such a stimulus!"

"For me it is a moral and ethical choice to not cause pain or suffering."

"Being a responsible and loving dog guardian means first doing no harm. Teaching takes time, patience and a good sense of humor -- Those who advocate the use of shock collars possess none of these."

"I totally disagree with the use of shock collars. These collars are abusive, they are sold to ignorant pet owners who use them incorrectly & cause unnecessary pain to the animal. I recently adopted a rescue dog who was abused with a shock collar. The previous owners of the dog had young children who used the remote for the shock collar & caused the dog pain & laugh & do it over & over. This dog, 3 months later is still being worked with due to damage from the shock collar. These collars should be banned."

What our critics say:

"Perhaps you are opposed to ecollars because you don't know how how to use them correctly. Anyway, I'll never give mine up."

"You guys are morons."

"You guys kill me. You are so threatened by training that gets quick, effective, humane results that you can't stand it. You have NO IDEA what you are talking about, and dog owners know it. Banning tools is as stupid as BSL."

"An ecollar used correctly is far more humane then a choke collar used incorrectly. You folks don't know what your talking about."

"I'm a professional dog trainer who doesn't believe in banning tools. I'm also a behavior consultant and pet owner and definitely NOT a "pet parent".

"Electronic collars can be incredibly human, effective, and reasonable tools to have in your tool box. The freedoms a dog may be allowed by use of an e-collar can be quite wonderful, particularly for a non-hearing dog."